Pramila Jayapal Becomes First South Asian American Woman to Preside over U.S. HouseTop Stories

Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, D.C. broke barriers Tuesday as she took her turn holding the Speaker's gavel, becoming the first South Asian American woman to ever preside over the House.

Jayapal, who was first elected in 2016, tweeted she was "beyond proud" to preside over the House and serve in the most diverse Congress in the nation's history.

Today, I became the FIRST South Asian American woman to preside over the U.S. House of Representatives. Beyond proud to serve in the most diverse Congress in our nation’s history and to hold the gavel today. pic.twitter.com/IOgOYj8zxd